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Massachusetts CDL Requirements
Everyone in the State of Massachusetts who wishes to obtain or who currently holds a commercial driver license is federally required to inform the RMV of the type of commerce they plan to operate.
- Non-Excepted Interstate (NI)
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements. - Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA)
You must meet the Massachusetts State driver qualification requirements.
You should certify at the highest standard for which you qualify so as to not limit work opportunities. Non-Excepted Interstate (NI) is the broadest category and the one you should select if you meet the criteria, even if you currently do not consider yourself an interstate driver.
What if I can’t meet the medical qualifications for interstate commercial operation?
If you do not meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements, you may qualify for an intrastate medical waiver through the Registry of Motor Vehicles. This waiver permits operation of a CMV used in Massachusetts intrastate commerce only. Individuals who have been issued a intrastate medical waiver will have a W (waiver) restriction placed on their license.
CDL Self-Certification
Submit the following two documents:
- Massachusetts Department of Transportation CDL Self-Certification Form, LIC103_0118, download the form here from MassDOT.
- Copy of your valid DOT medical card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate only, not the long form). Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
Online:
Go to myRMV Online Service Center
By Mail:
MassDOT, RMV Division
Driver Licensing
PO Box 55889
Boston, MA 02205
In Person:
At any RMV branch office.
Medical Certificate Renewal
For NI and NA categorized drivers, self-certification is tied to the expiration date of the medical certificate, variance, SPE or waiver. Therefore, drivers will need to re-certify using the same form when they renew these documents. Depending on the validity period of your medical card, you will most likely have to re-certify every 1 to 2 years.
To avoid a downgrade of your CDL, make sure you renew your medical certificate and re-certify with MassDOT before your medical card’s expiration date. Use the CDL Self-Certification process, described above, to keep your Medical Certificate updated with Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Special Information Updates Pertaining To ALL STATES
MEDICAL EXAMINERS MUST CONTINUE TO ISSUE MEDICAL CERTIFICATES TO ALL DRIVERS
The FMCSA has requested that all medical examiners continue providing drivers with a paper copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate – Form MCSA-5876, so that Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders can provide a copy to the State licensing agency, and the non-CDL drivers can provide the documentation to their employers and Federal and State enforcement officials.
The Agency is currently completing efforts to put into place an electronic system to enable medical examiners to transmit the medical certificate information from the National Registry system to the State licensing agencies.
Until that system is completed, which compliance date according FMCSA is June 23, 2025, medical examiners must continue to issue paper copies of the medical certificates to drivers who pass the medical exam.
ALL DRIVERS MUST CONTINUE TO CARRY A PAPER COPY OF THEIR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
Commercial Drivers – You still need to carry a paper copy of your medical card, until FMCSA announces that this is no longer necessary.
Your Feedback Is Welcome
Dealing with Federal DOT Regulations across the board is tough enough!
But when it comes to State Regulations — There are 50 different sets of rules. Someone could move the goal posts at any time…
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If we mailed the form and the new medical, how long does it take for it to update on my MVR? Delivery date shows 11/07. I see that still not updated on my MVR
@ Yusufon
Some states will take up to 4 weeks. If you have a valid medical card, you are good to go. The state date marks your information, so it will show as the correct date on their records.
I don’t not have a cdl license, but I have my dot medical card, I got a dui, I was able to reinstate my drivers license after 6months for refusal, case is still active can I drive trucks that fall under medical card or is my medical card fall under cdl and is still suspended
@ Steve
Since your drivers license is not a cdl, then you will need to check with your local drivers license department for the best answer.
I self certification was late. Do I get my cdl class B back after the registry down graded it to a class D.
@ William D o jr
This will be best answered by your local DLD.
I have my A class CDL .About 5 1/2 years I had a stroke is good with my health . . . My license is coming up for my license. Is any way I can hold on my license even If I just wanted to hold my cdl license at a later date. Even if I downgrade A class to B class. So I can’t have to do the physical exam right now. Is there anything file form to do it. When I was healthy, I had to take 0.5 baby aspirin. My Doctor told me I didn’t need no more. It was one week i had a stroke. Maybe it was the family jeans or it was the doctor. That’s why I don’t like Some Doctors. Could someone help me on this issue. Thanks From A Hardworking Drivers and Everyone !!!!!
@ Jeff
You are going to have to talk with someone at your local drivers license department for guidance in this situation.
does the registry of motor vehicles get all the reports of dot physicals from the doctor?
@ bob
No.
What happens if I currently have a dot medical card from my previous employment that doesn’t expire for a year, but failed a dot physical for pre employment for another job but wound up turning that job down anyways. Could I go back to my previous employment with my current medical card that I had with them to begin with which has a year left or would I have to go back to the doctors and pass that one before the 3 months?
@ Peter
The CME reported the fail to the national registry with a three month card, then it over-rides your older medical card. Wait for a month or so and then go get a new medical examination, somewhere else for a second opinion.
Do you need your dot card to get the permit in Massachusetts?
@ Tim
You will need to check with your local DLD for the best answer.
If your company you work for sends you for dot physical and you pass everything except the vision that they say you need corrective lenses. So then you make appointment with your eye Dr and she says everything is good by her test, how do you have medical card restriction changes ? Just got medical card so it’s good for two years
@ Bill P
You take your eye doctors report back to the testing doctors office and present their findings. They should use the new information and change your medical card restrictions.